The Week in Design: Jony Ive’s Design Encore, Punk’s Not Dead, Design Thinking Under Scrutiny

Neville Brody thinks your design is boring

Neville Brody, an influential figure in graphic design and typography, has voiced concern over the loss of creativity with the shift to everything digital. In a recent interview with Dezeen, Brody described the transition as a “fundamental shift from expressing content to just delivering content”

Brody’s remarks came following the release of his new book, “The Graphic Language of Neville Brody 3”, which serves as both a showcase of his work and an appeal for a reinvigoration of drama, expression, and exuberance in design.

The British designer explained that design’s function has evolved due to the growing emphasis on content platforms and digital strategy, a trend that prioritizes compatibility and scalability over creativity. Brody contends that this shift has transitioned design from a disruptive force that enhances the content experience to a smoother, less complex journey geared towards speed and profit.

“All content is fed through the same sausage machine.”

- Neville Brody

Brody believes there’s potential for digital media to embrace a more disruptive, editorial approach that engages viewers in new ways. However, he acknowledges the market’s current focus on content delivery may not support such a shift.

Inspiration or Insta-Imitation? The Design Dilemma of Algorithms

A research project from the University of Oxford, led by designer and doctoral researcher Maggie Mustaklem, has explored the impact of AI-powered algorithms on design creativity.

The project, titled ‘Design, Interrupted,’ argues that these algorithms, especially those used by platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, are causing a degree of homogeneity in design work. Mustaklem observed that designers sourcing inspiration from these platforms tend to create similar work due to the content pushed by the AI algorithms, which can lead to a “narrowing” of the images that designers see when looking for inspiration. The research raises questions about the implications of this AI-driven ‘algorithmic flattening’ on creativity.

Does Design Thinking Need a Makeover?

A recent retrospective by the Technology Review discusses how design thinking, despite its popularity and widespread implementation, may not be as effective as originally intended. The article criticizes the lack of integration of the design thinking process with real-world context, as evidenced by experiences at IDEO, a design consulting firm.

The article points out that while design thinking promised an egalitarian, innovative, and cooperative process to solve any problem, it often fell short of this promise when the ideas were not contextualized within the problem space. The disruptive and creative nature of design thinking sometimes lacked the necessary expertise to be properly applied in certain settings, such as schools, as was the case with IDEO’s projects.

Design Trend: Punk Revival

Punk design’s characteristically chaotic collages, mismatched fonts, and scribbled lettering embody its defiance against the establishment, making a comeback in the design world [1]. In response to societal pressures, everyday people are finding reasons to rebel against failing systems, making Punk’s rebellious aesthetic more appealing.

Social factors like the increasing wealth gap and the death of the UK’s monarch in 2022 have boosted the mass appeal of the Punk Revival. This renewed appeal is largely seen as a collective response to oppressive systems, embodying an overall rejection of opulence and decorum.

1. On Trend: Punk Revival, Y2K Fonts, Color of the Year — Design On Edge
2. 12 inspiring graphic design trends for 2023
3. Punk for a Day: Graphic Design History and the Punk Aesthetic

Jony Ive’s first post-Apple product: a $60,000 record player

Jony Ive, previously Apple’s chief design officer, has unveiled his latest project — the Sondek LP12–50 turntable, a collaboration with the audio brand Linn.

The $60,000 turntable is a 50th-anniversary edition of Linn’s iconic product. Ive, through his independent design firm LoveFrom, introduced several design refinements to the classic turntable, including a circular and flat primary switch, and a more rounded shape of the board under the arm.

This limited edition design, which will be available in either white or natural wood finishes, will only see 250 units produced.